josettern2012

I agree with you. I am a former LPN who bridged into a RN program at my local community college and this is my last semester and I will have my BSN. The truth is I gained so much knowledge as a LPN and have a good skill set from the LPN background. I went back to school because I wanted to further my education and did an ADN program. Now I am getting my BSN because the facility I am employed with made me sign a contract stating I would get my BSN. I have worked with some great LPNs who could probably work circles around some RNs the skills they have are awesome and are a great resource. I agree with you that no one should be made to feel that they are less of a nurse because they are a LPN or ADN. The end N in LPN, ADN and BSN means nurse.

I work fulltime and the first semester I took 2 class the second semester I took 4 classes this fall semester I am only taking one class due to the fact that my husband had knee surgery and I have to take the full load of paying bills at home and helping him run his business. Working fulltime and going to school time is manageable. The RN to BSN program is paper heavy a lot writing. I kept up fine with the 4 classes. It is all in how you feel and what deadlines you have set for yourself

I am in agreement with VivaLaVespaGirl. You should also keep an open mind remember nursing school is very competitive. If I were you I would meet with an advisor from the university I wish to attend as well as my present school I would keep my options open because when being considered for nursing schools the facility looks at loyalty to the school and getting your BSN after getting your ADN is easy and generally takes a year. You have many options and should have an alternative plan for me I got accepted into an ADN program at my local community college and went with them and now I am getting my BSN which has only taking me 3 semesters and going for my MSN next year. I am just saying there are many paths to a career in nursing and you should look at them all and by all means apply to every nursing school possible because the ultimate goal is to become an registered nurse after that you can always go back to school and build on that foundation.

To answer the question UAB still hires the ADN they ask you to sign a contract stating you will get your BSN within 3 years of being hired. This is part of their Magnet Contract. The facility is geared toward educational growth and this forces you to continue your education. I got hired as an ADN and have one semester left before completing my BSN and I am glad they have the stipulation because if not I probably would not have went back to school and the fact is this makes you more marketable in the work force.

I just transferred to the Emergency Room and currently on orientation. My orientation is 6 weeks. Patient care is patient care but fact is ER nursing is a different ball game. You will build on your skills. The pace is fast, there is a high patient turnover and so much to learn. The 8 weeks are well worth it and you will probably appreciate it in the long run. Good Luck

Let me just say my first paycheck I blew it on who knows what. I remember my Nurse Manager calling me in her office and telling me I was missing 12 hours from getting a 80 hour paycheck and did I want to use benefit time because I transferred from Patient Access as an admission clerk to being an RN. I remember telling her lady I have not gotten close to 80 hours in a long time don't worry about it I will be fine and that first check was like $1500 missing the 12 hours. My first year of nursing my husband and I traveled every other month because I get 6 days off once a month. We really lived it up. LOL